Head of Lab Procurement

Tempus AI, Inc.; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Incentive compensation

Restricted stock units

Medical benefits

PTO

Job summary

Tempus AI, Inc. is seeking an experienced procurement leader to drive strategic lab category management and supplier negotiations across multiple sites.

You will lead high-value RFx processes, negotiate complex commercial terms, and champion AI-enabled tools to automate routine tasks and enhance spend visibility. With 8–10+ years in lab-focused procurement, you will partner with finance and lab leaders to optimize costs, ensure SLAs, and manage the total cost of ownership while maintaining high

Qualifications

• 8–10+ years of procurement experience, preferably in lab categories or healthcare tech
• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Finance, or related field
• Familiarity with modern ERPs (NetSuite) and procurement platforms (Coupa, Zip).
• Experience implementing or utilizing AI tools in a professional setting is a plus
• Strong negotiation capabilities and executive presence

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive strategies for critical lab spend including sequencing equipment pacing, consumables, and service contracts
• Lead major RFx and negotiations; secure favorable pricing and meet SLAs
• Champion AI-driven tools to automate tasks, improve spend visibility, and predict market trends
• Partner with functional leaders to align procurement with roadmaps and budgets
• Drive cost savings, cost avoidance, and total cost of ownership reduction

Skills

Negotiation

Strategic sourcing

Stakeholder management

Executive presence

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain/Business/Finance

Tools

NetSuite

Coupa

Zip

Job description

Passionate about precision medicine and advancing the healthcare industry? Recent advancements in underlying technology have finally made it possible for AI to impact clinical care in a meaningful way. Tempus' proprietary platform connects an entire ecosystem of real-world evidence to deliver real-time, actionable insights to physicians, providing critical information about the right treatments for the right patients, at the right time.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Category Management Develop and execute comprehensive strategies for critical lab spend (e.g., sequencing equipment pacing, consumables, service contracts). Establish best practices for lab procurement, setting the standard for purchasing behaviors across lab managers and technicians across multiple sites, while also directly leading major RFx and/or negotiations for high-value contracts. Negotiate complex commercial terms to secure favorable pricing, mitigate supply chain risk, and ensure service level agreements (SLAs) meet business needs. Champion the integration of AI-driven tools to automate routine tasks, enhance spend visibility, and predict market trends.
• Stakeholder Partnership Act as a strategic advisor to functional leaders, understanding their roadmaps and budget constraints to align new possibilities in related external markets with internal business goals. Build trust and collaboration across lab sites to ensure procurement is viewed as an enabler rather than a blocker. Facilitate cross-functional teams for major sourcing initiatives (lab leaders, legal, finance).
• Financial Impact Define and achieve targets for cost savings and cost avoidance. Partner with Finance to track savings validation and ensure budget alignment. Drive total cost of ownership (TCO) reduction while maintaining quality and service levels.

Qualifications

• Experience: 8-10+ years of procurement experience with a focus on lab categories; prior experience in a procurement function for a high-growth tech or healthcare environment is strongly preferred.
• Education: Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Finance, or related field, including applicable life science fields.
• Tech Savvy: Familiarity with modern ERPs (e.g., NetSuite) and procurement platforms (e.g., Coupa, Zip). Experience implementing or utilizing AI tools in a professional setting is a plus.
• Soft Skills: Exceptional negotiation capabilities, executive presence, and the ability to influence without authority.

CHI: $130,000-$180,000 The expected salary range may vary for other locations. Actual salary may vary based on qualifications and experience.

Benefits

• Tempus offers a full range of benefits, which may include incentive compensation, restricted stock units, medical and other benefits depending on the position.
• Our outstanding benefits program includes medical, dental, vision, FSA, paid sick leave and generous paid time off (PTO) program.
• The Company reserves the right to make changes to the 401k plan from time to time.

Ambry Genetics is a CAP-accredited and CLIA-licensed molecular genetics laboratory based in Aliso Viejo, California. We are a genetics-based healthcare company that is dedicated to open scientific exchange so we can work together to understand and treat all human disease faster. At Ambry, everyone is welcome. A career at Ambry Genetics is a chance to be part of a dynamic company that aims to improve health by understanding the relationships between genetics and human disease. We earned our reputation as industry leaders by responsibly introducing cutting-edge genetic testing solutions and continually sharing what we learn with the global scientific community. At Ambry you will be learning, challenging yourself, and having fun while collaborating with teammates through the open exchange of ideas.

We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. Ambry Genetics is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and we maintain a drug-free work environment. The Company believes in second chance employment. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction history will be considered regardless of their arrest or conviction history, consistent with local laws such as Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if the Company is concerned about conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race (and traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression (including transgender status), national origin, ancestry, age, marital status or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability, protected medical condition as defined by applicable state or local law, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances.

For the purpose of the above job description, “Essential Functions” are “Material Job Duties”. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position across all US locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.